Public Mathematics and Statistics Events

Esteemed algebraic number theorist Professor Frank Calegari gave a public talk on the secrets of Pi, presented by SMRI as part of his 2022 Mahler Lecture Tour .

Throughout the centuries, the number Pi has come up again and again in mathematics in many totally different contexts — as the special value of various integrals, the solution to questions in probability, and many more places.

In this talk, Frank explored a conjecture (formalized by Grothendieck) which explains how seemingly different occurrences of Pi (as well as many other interesting mathematical constants) should all be related, and how these numbers are linked to some the biggest open problems in algebra and number theory.

SMRI Director Professor of Mathematics Geordie Williamson explored how machine learning can help with the intuitive aspects of mathematical research. Geordie recently carried out one of the first applications of AI in pure mathematics, in collaboration with Oxford University mathematicians and DeepMind, the AI company of AlphaGo fame. The results were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature in December 2021.

This public event took place on 15 March 2022, co-presented with Sydney Ideas.

Since prehistoric times, humans have used knots for their functional and aesthetic value. Knots, links and braids have held decorative, artistic and spiritual significance across a myriad of cultures. For mathematicians, the study of knots has led to insights in disciplines such as geometry and topology.

In this public lecture, upcoming SMRI visitor Professor Jessica Purcell will provide us with an introduction into knot theory and some of its fundamental questions.

Professor Purcell will take a look at some of the modern tools to study knots and describe some of the surprising applications of knot theory.

The Science & Research Breakfast Seminar Series showcases excellence in research and development, which is generating economic, environmental, social and technological benefits for New South Wales. The six-part series will again feature some of the State’s best and brightest, and highlight its tremendous research strength across a diverse range of disciplines. Join Professor Geordie Williamson …

Cancer is a complex disease which continues to cause the premature deaths of many people. Research by clinicians and experimental biologists has dramatically improved outcomes for many patients, but further improvements are needed. in this talk, Professor Helen Byrne will show how mathematical modelling is being used to understand how tumours grow and to predict …

‘An intriguing journey in maths’ with Dr June Huh Dr June Huh is a Clay Research Fellow and a member at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, USA. He applies tropical geometry and singularity theory to problems in combinatorics and other areas. He is best known in the field of mathematics for his proof …

Be enthralled as brilliant scientists tell stories of their cutting-edge work. Real science told by real scientists with no notes, no slides – just great stories. It’s all part of Ockham’s Razor – the ABC podcast for anyone with a compelling story of science. Expect a jam-packed evening of short talks to intrigue, excite and …